The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the time.

¶ 02 First, we must appreciate all public officials engaged in rescuing people nationwide. We honor Wing Commander Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, who sacrificed his life, and the five missing Navy officers. Thanks to such officers, most of our people are safe.

¶ 03 This disaster has affected all 25 districts; 22 districts have been gazetted as affected; displaced people are in camps in 21 districts. As at now, 465 deaths are reported and 366 persons are missing. We must treat this as the grave national tragedy it is.

¶ 04 Some in the Opposition have worked cooperatively and deserve recognition—MPs, municipal and local authority members, and chairmen. But another group has sought to discredit. Hon. Dilith Jayaweera and others said a warning was issued on 12 November and that the Government failed to act. Let me be clear: this narrative was pushed in Parliament and amplified particularly by the “Derana” channel. I challenge them to state exactly what the 12 November “warning” was and who issued it from the Department of Meteorology. I table the relevant “Derana” programme of 12 November and the Q&A with a Met Department official. Hon. Dilith Jayaweera should clarify where that warning exists. This is ugly politics at a time of mourning—spreading toxic misinformation when families are grieving.

¶ 05 The President met all parties in Parliament, sought cooperation, and listened to views. Assistance is being given without political discrimination, empowering District and Divisional Secretaries to work free of political pressure. Yet Opposition MPs went and harassed the Kandy District Secretary, when officials themselves and their families are affected and under stress. I trust responsible Opposition MPs will defeat this attempt to undermine officials. Thank you.